The world’s poorest nations are often hit hardest by climate change, even though they contribute the least to it. Leaders in the Caribbean have long pointed this out, urging wealthier countries to provide support as they face escalating disasters.
Hurricane Melissa is currently battering Jamaica and heading toward Cuba and the Bahamas. Such storms put immense financial strain on Caribbean countries, which are often ill-equipped to recover. According to the International Monetary Fund, the region needs about $100 billion to strengthen its infrastructure and improve resilience against future calamities.
In a stark reminder, when former President Trump took office, he cut U.S. funding to help vulnerable countries prepare for climate change. This move dismantled many aid programs, leaving many nations even more exposed to disaster.
Michai Robertson, an adviser for the Alliance of Small Island States, shared the weight of anxiety felt by his family in Jamaica as the storm approached. “In moments like this, there’s a lack of leadership,” he said. Wealthy countries are retreating from the fight against climate change, often ignoring the voices of those who suffer the most.
Recent hurricanes have cost Caribbean nations tens of billions of dollars, leaving them heavily in debt. Countries like Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda have debts close to their entire economic output, further complicating recovery efforts.
Selwin Hart, a UN climate action leader from Barbados, noted the devastating impact such storms can have on fragile tourism-dependent economies. A major storm like Melissa can erase years of progress in just a few hours.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados is among the voices advocating for financial reforms at international lending institutions. She has called for the suspension of debt repayments to help these economies recover. Studies from the Inter-American Development Bank indicate that debt levels in Caribbean countries spike by about 18% after severe storms.
Complicating matters, many of these islands depend on imported fossil fuels, making recovery even harder. Jamaica’s energy relies heavily on liquefied natural gas, with a single refinery playing a crucial role in local recovery efforts. Recently, Jamaica’s energy minister assured citizens that preparations were underway to stockpile fuel for emergencies.
As global leaders prepare for the United Nations’ climate summit in Brazil, funding for climate adaptation is a hot topic. The UN has stated that developing countries need over $1 trillion annually to transition away from fossil fuels and adapt. Last year, wealthy nations pledged around $300 billion a year, but many expect only a portion will actually go toward disaster preparation.
Difficulties persist due to a lack of commitment from these nations. Although they promised to double adaptation funding to at least $40 billion a year by 2025, it appears unlikely they will meet this target.
As Racquel Moses, a climate advocate with ties to Jamaica, expressed, the right kind of financial support is crucial. Projects such as planting mangroves or raising roads don’t yield immediate financial returns, making them less attractive to investors.
It’s clear: the Caribbean faces daunting challenges, not just from climate change but also from the economic structures that are in place. With every storm, the urgency for meaningful action grows stronger.
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